Five papers from a 1979 conference designed to bring practitioners' results of current research and development in special education are presented. The first paper describes the importance of the prepared environment for mainstreaming handicapped children and reviews four areas of consideration: orientation, adaptation, boundaries, and design of…

Intended for parents of handicapped children, the booklet provides information on the basic rights the child is entitled to, how the special education system works in Iowa, how the parent can become involved in education, and how to assure that the child's rights are protected. Chapter 1 addresses the right to an education with sections on what…

The training manual is intended to meet the training needs of Head Start personnel and others working with preschool handicapped children who have not had formal training in special education. The book attempts to provide the basic concepts and practices of providing individualized instruction to preschool handicapped children as mandated by P.L.…

Five author contributed papers focus on helping teachers work more effectively with culturally diverse handicapped or gifted children and their parents. The first chapter, "Understanding Where the Students Are Coming From" by J. Nazzaro and M. Portuondo considers the need to develop a multicultural perception, barriers to parent…

Computer Assisted Instruciton (CAI) helps schools meet the challenge of student dropouts. CAI provides individualized instruction, a positive learning experience, and immediate feedback. Black students at Chicago's Williams Elementary School have gained in reading and math. CAI projects in Louisville, Kentucky, and Baltimore have improved academic…

Lists technology available in the categories of sensory enhancers, keyboard adaptations and emulators, environmental controls and manipulators, instructional uses of technology, and motivational devices. Shows how to apply technological considerations to the traditional assessment concerns of health, vision, hearing, social and emotional status,…

Allowing children to participate in special education decision-making only at the discretion of their parents and the school system deprives them of any meaningful involvement and expression of their own concerns. Outlines models for involving children in such decision-making and giving them more meaningful roles in planning their educational…

Administrators from 98 residential schools for mentally retarded students, surveyed about parent participation, reported that 43 percent of parents participated in education programing. A sizable core of administrators believed that parents should not be involved in admissions (22 percent), medical decisions (19 percent), program monitoring (24…

This meta-analysis investigated the effects of formative evaluation procedures on student achievement. Twenty-one controlled studies generated 96 relevant effect sizes (average weighted effect size .70). Magnitude of effect of formative evaluation was associated with publication type, data-evaluation method, data display, and use of behavior…

Two educators describe the changes in a severely retarded, multiply disabled 12-year-old resulting from a functional curriculum approach. Assessment of his life needs and skills produced a new curriculum with emphasis on age appropriate interests. (CL)

Problems associated with the school psychologists traditional assessment functions and methodology are identified and contrasted with the need for assessment information that can contribute meaningfully to the formulation and evaluation of educational interventions. (Author/LMO)

Examines the areas in which educational misconduct involving handicapped students is likely to occur. Argues for accountability for such misconduct and discusses why remediation should be by common law tort action. Explains why the Handicapped Children Act procedures are not appropriate in litigation. (MD)

To offer public school programs that address learning needs of chronically ill children, schools must first clarify the role of education. This paper discusses major policy-relevant issues and suggests how some of these students' needs can be addressed by the schools. (DF)

To enhance the interaction level between parents and multidisciplinary team members at meetings on individualized education programs, seven recommendations and nine print resources are offered. (MC)

It is never too early for parents to start teaching children how they can advocate for themselves. Like many other important life skills, self-advocacy is a critical tool children need in order to achieve goals, increase self-sufficiency, and become successful young adults. It is a life long process that begins with children learning by watching…